Anderson County manufacturers get Employer Impact Awards.

Kelley Engineering, Sargent Metal and Michelin received Employer Impact Awards recently during a meeting of Anderson County manufacturers, educators and economic developers.

"Every time we have a meeting we see new faces, and that's what it's meant to be," said Teri Gilstrap, existing industries manager with the Anderson County Economic Development office, prior to announcing the award recipients. "It's meant to be a networking opportunity for Anderson County manufacturers. The industries in Anderson County have an opportunity to get together and network and celebrate each other.

"We plan to have this event yearly to celebrate our industries," she said.

Kelley Engineering, in Piedmont, received the Employer Impact Award in the small category. The company specializes in designing and building custom automation equipment, as well as providing CNC machining and metal fabrication services to a variety of industries.

"This is really just a testimony to the team we've built at Kelley Engineering," said Matt Kelley, company president. "It's easy to buy a building. It's easy to buy a machine. But the people you surround yourself with is what sets you apart and sets you up for success.

"I'm just humbled to be a part of it. This started four years ago in my garage with no projects, no customers, just a hope and a dream and I knew that if I could convince some good people to come work for me it would make a difference," he said.

Kelley said he bought his first CNC machine two years ago and the company's eighth machine was just delivered this month.

"Last year we finished the year with 12 employees. Now we just hired our 23rd employee," he said.

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